OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Trucking Alliance says infrastructure and fuel technology has not kept pace with the trucking industry’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint.

Submitting its comments on the upcoming federal Clean Fuel Standard regulation to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the group said the increasing environmental policies would have to address some of the implementation and infrastructure challenges faced by long-haul fleets, which consume the bulk of the fuel used by trucks.

CTA President Stephen Laskowski says the organization fully supports the reduction of carbon emissions.

“Although low carbon technologies like natural gas and electric engines have less operational, infrastructure and supply chain challenges for short-haul trucking, government must be made aware of the technological impediments for long-haul fleets.”

The Clean Fuel Standard will establish lifecycle carbon intensity requirements separately for liquid, gaseous and solid fuels that are used in transportation, industry and buildings, with the goal of reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions in Canada by 30 megatons by 2030.

The CTA encouraged the government to offer fleets incentives to adopt low-carbon fuels such as natural gas or electric trucks.

The submission also highlighted the need for the trucking industry and government to work more closely together to develop a shared vision on the future of fuel.

A timeline for when the new regulations would come into effect hasn’t been announced, Consultations on the new regulations are continuing, with a final draft expected for some time next year.